Protective effects of vitamin D on ischemia-reperfusion injury of the ovary in a rat model

Objective(s): The aim of the present study is to investigate probable acute effects of vitamin D on ischemia-reperfusion injury in the rat ovary. Materials and Methods: A group of 30 Wistar albino rats was divided into five groups of 6 each. Group 1: underwent laparotomy only and the ovaries were removed. Group 2: 3-hr ischemia followed by excision of the ovaries. Group 3: 3-hr ischemia and 3-hr reperfusion and the ovaries were removed. Group 4: vitamin D was administered 30 min prior to the 3-hr of ischemia and the ovaries were excised at the end of ischemia period. Group 5: vitamin D was administered 30 min prior to the 3-hr of ischemia and 3-hr reperfusion then the ovaries were removed at the end of reperfusion. The ovaries excised in each group also underwent biochemical and histopathologic analysis. MDA (malondialdehyde), SOD (superoxide dismutase), NO (nitric oxide), TAS (total antioxidant score), TOS (total oxidant score) were analyzed as biochemical parameters. Results: There were no significant differences between groups in TAS, TOS, or OSI (P>0.05). MDA levels were lower in the vitamin D treatment groups especially in group 5, significantly (P<0.05). In the histopathologic evaluation, we established that an improvement with vitamin D treatment. According to tissue injury scores, vascular congestion score was significantly different between group 3 and 5 (P<0.05). Conclusion: Vitamin D seems an effective molecule for protection of ischemia-reperfusion injury in rat ovary. There is some significant improvement in oxidative damages with vitamin D treatment.